Reappearance of certain ancestral characters is called

Options

A. anabolism
B. catabolism
C. atavism
D. metabolism

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for the term that describes the reappearance of certain ancestral characteristics in organisms after several generations.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **A. Anabolism**: This refers to the metabolic process where simple substances are synthesized into more complex molecules. It does not relate to the reappearance of ancestral traits.
- **B. Catabolism**: This is the metabolic process that breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones, which again does not pertain to ancestral characteristics.
- **C. Atavism**: This term specifically refers to the phenomenon where ancestral traits reappear in an organism after several generations. This is a strong candidate for our answer.
- **D. Metabolism**: This is the overall set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms, including both anabolism and catabolism. It does not specifically address the reappearance of ancestral traits.

3. **Identifying the Correct Answer**: Given the definitions and the context of the question, the correct answer is **C. Atavism**. Atavism is characterized by the reappearance of traits that were present in distant ancestors, often after many generations.

4. **Conclusion**: The reappearance of certain ancestral characters is called **Atavism**.

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